The French word tapisserie is also used of rugs, tablecloths and furnishing fabrics and, in the course of time, upholstering furniture became the major preoccupation of the “tapissier”.

Originally these craftsmen hung wallpapers but when papers came into general use, painters took over this task.Towards the middle of the 19th century the spiral spring was invented. It enabled upholsterers to create comfortable chairs and sofas using a special technique for tying and supporting the springs.